For you Steve

[TJDukit]

Sorry for the newb question but what makes the Miata's more desirable over the RX7's? I rode in a twin trubo'ed 13B RX7 once and I still think that was the coolest thing ever

I don't know if it's in the same category but my dad's cousin built a Porshe 914 with a Vortec supercharged small block (LS1 maybe?) in it. Unique. Fast.

Ugh no more car talk. I have enough things to spend money on

I could be wrong but the draw seems to be how well balanced the car is, how cheap it is to get into one and how competetive the racing is.

 

[sixstringsteve]

A porsche 914 handles very similarly to a miata. My brother's DD in high school set the record for the fastest lap in its class (914 2.0) at Laguna Seca around 1999. Super fun car. 50/50 weight split too. Not insanely fast acceleration, but man were on-ramps fun!

I've never driven an RX7. It's also got rwd and 50/50 weight balance, so I'm betting they're awesome to drive too. I think I'd have a hard time keeping the power down on a twin turbo.

I just remember that every time I drove my miata I was grinning the whole time. I don't exactly get that with the tacoma on the way to pick up parts in SLC.

 

[TJDukit]

Just think of how few parts you could pick up in a Miata but at least it could be fun getting there.

 

[sixstringsteve]

once my wife and I took the miata shopping for a painting for our living room. It's about 4'x2'. It didn't fit in the trunk. We held onto it with the top down to get it home. That's a great memory.

 

[sixstringsteve]

that 3-day racing school is only $4000

 

[Stephen]

Spec Miata (MX-5) is awesome, and if I had the coin, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Solo II is where I really need to be, my Miata is bone stock and will stay that way. So I'd compete in Stock E, which is awesome because my dad was the Stock E national champion 40 years ago this year. I did a few Solo II event's about a decade ago in my Rabbit GTI and it was a blast, but I really hated being beat by my dad in my car (he was actually schooling Street Prepared Porsches in that stock, tired GTI!). Same thing would happen in the Miata I fear. :-\

 

[sixstringsteve]

last time I raced solo II, there was a dude in a rented hyundai schooling all the cool kids in their STis and Evos. He was in the top 10 of all classes: M3s, Porsches, minis, lotuses. He was a great driver from back east who needed a few more points for Nationals, so he flew out for the event. Amazing driver.

Let's get your dad to give us some pointers Stephen.

 

[Stephen]

Let's get your dad to give us some pointers Stephen.

My dad's been giving me pointers my whole life. He's still disappointed in me...

 

[sixstringsteve]

did you feel like the skip barber school was money well spent?

 

[sixstringsteve]

awesome. Do you think you still have those skills, or have they faded over time?

 

[TJDukit]

I used to be pretty BA playing Gran Turismo.

 

[TurboMinivan]

The miata allows me to take it to it's full potential on the way to work every day. Now if only I could find one.

I don't think I knew you liked Miatas, Steve. Did you know I have one?

 

[sixstringsteve]

Nice one dempsey! What year is it? Want to sell it?

 

[sixstringsteve]

Boring video, but fun topic.

[video=youtube;s0MjVlQP8hU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0MjVlQP8hU[/video]

 

[Gravy]

Steve. My nieghboor has a silver hard top sitting in his garage under 1" of dust. Want me to ask him about it?

 

[sixstringsteve]

absolutely! Please do.

Is it an entire car, or just the top? Either way, I'm interested.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I found this awesome site that explains track technique in a way that mere mortals like me can understand. It's probably nothing new to most of you, but I'd have a hard time putting it all together on a track.

http://www.drivingfast.net/

 

[TurboMinivan]

Nice one dempsey! What year is it? Want to sell it?

It's a 1991, and it has been in project status for ~ 3 years now.

I don't want to sell it but would rather see it through to completion. What am I doing to it? Let's just say it is undergoing displacement enhancement. When it's done, the engine bay will look like this:

So far I have the new rear diff mounted (Ford 8.8 IRS):

The project has halted because I need some fabrication done... and I don't weld. Basically, I just need to test-fit the engine, then measure and decide where/how to attach the motor mounts to the new tubular subframe. After they are welded on, I can install the engine/trans combo and that will dictate where/how to attach the rear trans cross member. After that, it'll all come together.

Someday.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'm sure there are plenty of people (including me) who would be happy to do your welding for you.

 

[TurboMinivan]

I'm sure there are plenty of people (including me) who would be happy to do your welding for you.

And I just may end up asking someone here to assist me, especially now that I have the means (Suburban/trailer) to easily move it from place to place.